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May 27

Benefits of Doing Business in France

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector 3 Comments »

As the largest country in Western Europe and the fifth economic power, France plays an important role in the European and worldwide market. Bounded by the North Sea, the English Channel, the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean with borders with six other countries, France is a natural crossroads for European and International trade. With its large population, well developed transport and technology infrastructures and a qualified and highly productive workforce, France is an attractive destination for foreign investments.

Understanding French values and attitudes is a prerequisite for anyone doing business in France. Communicaid’s Cross Cultural Awareness Training course Doing business in France can help international organisations gain a better understanding of French business culture and social etiquette. Listed below are some of the key benefits of doing business in France that Intercultural Training France can help you harness.

Eiffel Tower SOMATUSCANI i1 Benefits of Doing Business in France

Geographical Location
France is located at the heart of Europe and shares borders with Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy and Spain. France also has direct links to the UK, Algeria and Tunisia. This unique location, recognised since ancient times, is a great asset for international organisations wanting to sell their products on the European and International market.

Large Market
Home to approximately 64 million people, France has the second largest population in Western Europe behind Germany and a good purchasing power. These two elements make France an attractive market for a large variety of products and services. Like in many other western countries, the French market is open to competition and presents many opportunities to international businesses looking for a new venture.

Qualified and Productive Workforce
Contrary to common belief, mostly due to the large amount of press around the ‘French 35 hour working week’, the French workforce is productive. Statistics show that France is the third country in terms of hourly productivity while annual and hourly productivity rates per worker is approximately 20% higher than other European countries. France also has world renowned schools and universities which provide a qualified workforce. Five of these schools (HEC Paris, INSEAD, ESCP Europe, EM Lyon and Essec) were ranked in the top 12 European business schools by the Financial Times in 2009 . In fact, more than 200,000 foreign students chose France for their international exchange programme in 2009, evidence of the popularity of the level of higher education and qualifications.

Developed Infrastructures
France has one of the most well designed and efficient transport networks in the world. The high speed train networks such as the French TGV (Trains à Grand Vitesse) is renowned for breaking speed records on a regular basis and is one of the best means of transportation in France allowing fast journeys between all French major cities and toward many Europeans capitals. In addition to the developed train infrastructure, there are approximately one million kilometres of roads and motorways. Although some are toll roads, the majority of roads are owned by the state and are free of charge, providing a fast and reliable way to transport and deliver goods around France. French waterways are also a viable alternative for transporting merchandise, thanks to thousands of canals and a large commercial fleet of canal boats. And finally, there are 500 airports in France, the main ones being Orly and Roissy Charles de Gaulle in Paris allowing for fast domestic travel and access to international destinations.

International organisations doing business in France can profit immensely from the benefits stated above, but only if they are prepared with the right level of cultural knowledge and competence. Doing business in France effectively requires a comprehensive understanding of key French values, business etiquette and communication styles. Cultural Awareness Training France courses like Communicaid’s Doing Business in France or Living and Working in France can help you to develop your cross cultural skills and ensure a successful business experience in the French hexagone.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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May 04

Living in France – A Mix of Cultural Pleasures and Challenges

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector No Comments »

A recent article published by CNN presented France as the best place to live worldwide. Its ‘joie de vivre’ and amazing cultural heritage seem to be acknowledged by everyone. But if this sounds like a good reason to try out the French way of life, it can however bring its own set of challenges. Like every country, France has its cultural particularities that need to be understood to ensure the best possible experience of living and working in France.

France is among the most diverse countries in the world in terms of landscape and environment. From high mountains to sea shores, preserved forests and cultivated farm lands combined with an extensive cultural heritage, you will have a lot to discover when living in France.

French Cheese Andreas Arnold i Living in France – A Mix of Cultural Pleasures and Challenges

Living in France can bring many unique and different experiences depending on where you are based in the country. There are huge differences between the north and the south of France, not only in the climate and geography but also in the cultural values and attitudes you will find people have who live in each part. For example, in the north of France, people tend to be more task oriented, have a fairly neutral communication style and can be quite monochronic. Conversely in the south, French will tend to have a more affective communication style and a more flexible approach to time than their fellow citizens in the north.

In addition to the north and south divide, there are also many key differences between the cities. France is a heavily centralised country and Paris is the place where key political, economic and cultural events take place. The pace, population, lifestyle and even the wages differ from the other French major cities. Living in Marseille, Lille or Nantes, for example, you will have an entirely different experience.

Wherever you are living in France, you will probably find a set of key cultural values, traditions and customs that influence most aspects of French culture. One of these key values cherished by the French population is the concept that the French are the best. To put it simply, French often give the impression that if it is not French, it is considered of lesser quality or even completely irrelevant. This attitude can be difficult for foreigners who just arrived in France to understand or accept and can often be interpreted negatively as excessive arrogance or cockiness.

That being said, this attitude of national pride is what drove the French to create some of the most famous brands and products in the world. This constant search of having the best living standards is probably one the most enjoyable parts of being an expatriate living in France. Fine brews and of course the famous French cuisine are the best examples of this.

No matter where you live in France, it’s important to understand what communication styles, cultural values and attitudes to expect. Cultural Awareness Training France programmes like Communicaid’s Living and Working in France can help you anticipate any major cross cultural challenges and increase your understanding of life in France to ensure you have a smooth expatriation.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010